Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen shrub native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves and twigs of the plant are dried and steeped in hot water until a tea is formed. Yerba mate acts as a central nervous system stimulant, may increase the risk of developing certain cancers and may increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.
Cancer Risk
Most of the research published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information's PubMed database links drinking hot yerba mate with a higher risk of lung, oral and esophageal cancer. While the exact mechanism of carcinogenesis is unknown, research published by Vikash Sewram, Ph.D., in the journal "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention" suggests the temperature at which you drink yerba mate may play a role in your level of risk for developing cancer.
Irritability and Sleeplessness
The xanthines found in yerba mate (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline) act as a central nervous system stimulant when consumed in moderation. Like other central nervous system stimulants, heavy consumption of yerba mate may lead to restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, agitation, increased urine output, stomach upset, increased heart rate and/or muscle twitches.
Lynne Eldridge, M.D., is the author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time" and researches carcinogens in the environment. Eldridge says that studies that have examined caffeine use report a miscarriage risk, and Amy Schweitzer, M.S., R.D., a nutrition researcher in Maryland, confirms that pregnant women should avoid herbal supplementation to limit the risk of complications during pregnancy. High doses of caffeine have been linked to birth defects, like limb and palate malformation.
References
- Avoid Cancer Now
- "Head & Neck;" The Beverage Maté: A Risk Factor for Cancer of the Head and Neck; D. Goldenberg; July 2003
- "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention;" Maté Consumption and the Risk of Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer in Uruguay;" V. Sewram, et al; June 2003
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- "Journal of Perinatal Education;" Dietary Supplements During Pregnancy; A. Schweitzer; Fall 2006
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